Scene 2; Discussion

Eve, Lucy and Cael sit in front of each other.

CAEL

Hello, I'm Cael.

EVE

Uhh, Cael?

CAEL

(wondering)

yes, something the matter?

EVE

no sorry, you just reminded me of someone. Carry on.

CAEL

Okay then, I am 19 years old, studying political science and I chose this course because of my interest in literature. I guess that's it.

LUZY

Hey, my name's Luzy. That's Luzy spelt L-U-Z-Y, don't get it wrong. I am 18 years old, although I might not look like it. I plan to major in home economics and become a successful business woman. I have no siblings, for now. My favorite color is red, my horoscope is Virgo and my blood type is-

EVE

Okay Luzy that's enough. I'm Eve, nice to meet you.

CAEL

Hello. (beat) So, there was a task that was given to us?

LUZY

We are supposed to find a drama that we like and then introduce it.

CAEL

Umm, okay then. Have you guys decided on anything yet?

LUZY

Nope.

EVE

Well, we are still thinking.

CAEL

then can I give a suggestion?

EVE

Sure.

CAEL

To be honest, I really like FAUST. It's a tragic play, written by Goethe and is in my opinion one of the greatest works in german literature.

EVE

Oh, That's a good idea.

LUZY

What's Faust?

EVE

It's a tragedy about a scholar named Faust, who makes an arrangement with the devil Mephistopheles. The devil does everything Faust wants on earth, but Faust has to obey Mephisto, when he's in hell. The bet is, that if Faust gets enticed by the devil, then he is to die on the spot. Later, he falls in love with a girl named 'Margaret' and seduces her. She falls pregnant, but kills the illegitimate child. In the end she is convicted of murder. It's a great drama and a good representation for the age of enlightenment.

CAEL

That's right. What you described was only the first part though. It's actually the second part that I find interesting. Now, the focus isn't only on Faust anymore, rather, we get an insight about society, philosophy and politics.

EVE

Hold on, but there's no Margaret anymore.

CAEL

She does appear in the end, to guide him to his ultimate salvation, but what does it matter, she is only a side character.

EVE

Wait, I have to disagree there. She is a strong girl who strayed from the right path, without her the story wouldn't be the same.

CAEL

Oh for real, you think so? Well, you're right on the part that she plays a major role for the plot, but for me, that's kinda about it. In my opinion, Margaret is not a very unique character. She may appeal to the ones similar to her, but to me she seems as unflexible as a straight arrow. It's just how Mephistopheles put it, the first part is the small world, Fausts' local town. The second part is the real part and takes place in the wide world. Margaret was meant to be a transition for that.

EVE

No, Margaret is more than that. She is an innocent maiden, who falls for Fausts seduction because of her loneliness and her urge to escape. She is a naive girl that thinks, everything will stay the same and that Faust will love her as unconditionally as she loves him. Which in the end leads to her demise. However, even though she may have been mislead and walked the wrong path, Margaret stayed true to her feelings until the end, which is why she gets admitted to heaven. It's admirable, in a sense.

CAEL

But it is still Faust that plays the most important role and coincidentally, which I like the most. He truly is a person who we should strive to become. His principles represent the age of enlightenment and should be followed as such. He is a learned man who does only what he conceives as right. Through his journey he gets stuck, while trying to expand his knowledge towards a region, a man should never go. Maybe it was something not meant to be known, but it does not matter to him, because uncovering what the truth holds, is his destined path.

EVE

Then shouldn't you like the first one more, as it is from his subjective standpoint.

CAEL

The second part also deals with his view point, only this time, he has matured. If at the beginning, he represented one man, and his own viewpoint, then now, he represents all humanity.

LUZY

Well, looks like we have some slight conflicts here and there, how about we think of another one?

CAEL

Fine by me. What have you guys thought of?

EVE

How about BEFORE DAWN, written by Gerhart Hauptmann?

CAEL

Do you mean that Social-Drama? I don't know about that one.

EVE

Why not?

CAEL

I don't really feel the characters.

EVE

Hm, not even Helene?

CAEL

Especially not Helene.

EVE

How come, I actually quite like her.

CAEL

I just don't like the suicidal ones.

EVE

Even though they are the most emotional ones?

CAEL

I don't like suicide in general. It irks me.

EVE

Well, I guess I can agree on that.

CAEL

Especially in Before dawn, I find her suicide to be unrealistic.

EVE

What do you mean with unrealistic?

CAEL

I felt her death was not well thought through, it was kinda bland even. She died unreasonably, in my opinion.

EVE

it seemed quite reasonable to me. If I remembered correctly, it was because of Loth leaving.

CAEL

Yes, I know, but think about it, who is Helene personality-wise?

EVE

Uhh, I guess I would characterize her as a woman of pure nature, a strong woman.

CAEL

That's what a lot of people say, but is that really true?

EVE

What do you mean?

CAEL

Think about it, you should know, that she was a girl who cried a lot. She possessed a lack of independence and determination. That's how she always was, at least that's how she was, until she met Loth. All of a sudden Helene becomes a strong-willed girl, who stands by her opinion and doesn't fear confrontation. However, that doesn't mean she suddenly found the light or something. What I actually believe, is that she has only changed her role model. She used to read books like the Sorrows of young Werther, which Loth has already characterized as a book for weaklings, for ill people.

LUZY

Ah, I know that book. It's the one where the protagonist killed himself, right?

CAEL

Exactly. Now, before Helene met Loth, it is likely that Werther was her role model, and he also became it again after Loth left. Now what does it say about her death? Was it because of her new found independence? A death of a girl who represented the freedom of women? No that wouldn't suit her, it wouldn't suit Werther. The reason she might have liked Loth, wasn't because of him, but because of herself. To escape her current life, as he was different. However, when he left, she realized that things would never change, she would never escape. So her death wasn't a death of a martyr, it was the death of an egoistic person, who didn't know better. And that's what I find unreasonable. As in I do not agree to her decision.

EVE

Even if she died for herself, I wouldn't necessarily call it unreasonable. In itself, suicide is always for oneself, so doesn't that mean, every suicide is unreasonable?

CAEL

Then it is.

EVE

But it isn't.

CAEL

Killing yourself and leaving behind your family members and friends is not unreasonable?

EVE

It shouldn't be seen in that way. From another perspective, expecting them to live on is unreasonable too.

CAEL

I don't understand at all. It is actions like that, I despise the most. Pride and ego are the two clauses that causes a society to break down. I believe that we, as in humanity, have to work together, to really achieve anything at all. Suicide is a form of escapism for the weak-minded people, which in the end, also destroys the people in its vicinity.

EVE

It is the very society that has betrayed them, so why would they care? You have to know, that nobody starts with the idea of suicide. It is the very last option, meaning nothing is available anymore. They don't really want to die, nobody does, but what can they do, when they have nothing left?

CAEL

There's always an option.

EVE

Except when there isn't. Or else those people wouldn't have died.

CAEL

They died because they are overcome by their feelings and can't think straight. Suicidal thoughts is an illness and should be treated as such.

EVE

Oh no, they are very sane, in fact, it is in that very moment that they might be the calmest. As you feel, that all your problems have dissolved, as if nothing matters and there was no reason to be sad anymore.

CAEL

That's exactly what I mean, intoxicated by the sweet euphoria, they can't tell right and wrong apart. Sorry, no matter what you say, my decision on this will not change. Suicide is weak.

LUCY

Okay, and that's enough, stop right there. How did we end up talking about this depressing topic? Anyways, change, change! Are their any other dramas you guys can think of?

EVE

I have no other ideas.

CAEL

Same.

LUZY

Okay, doesn't matter, because I do.

EVE

You do?

LUZY

yes, yes I do. Just thought about it.

EVE

really, why can't I believe you?

LUZY

What, I also read books.

EVE

They are dramas.

LUZY

Same thing. So how about NATHAN THE WISE?

EVE

Uhh.

LUZY

Not good?

EVE

No, i just haven't given much thought about it. The drama about religion right? Cael?

CAEL

I got nothing to say about it either, I don't really care much about religion.

EVE

Me neither.

LUZY

That might actually be for the best. Don't really wanna hear another debate.

EVE

The question right now is since when do you care?

LUZY

about religion? I don't.

EVE

Then why?

LUZY

It's the only drama I know, that doesn't end with people dying. Spoiler alert, by the way.

EVE

Really, that's it?

LUZY

I also like the plot. Especially the aspect of forbidden love. Not only are the lord and Recha from a different faith and status, in the end, they even turn out to be siblings. But the book- I mean the drama, shows that love overcomes all.

EVE

Uhm, I don't think that's what the drama was trying to convey, but I also like the plot. Specifically it's the ring parable that I like the most.

LUZY

What's the ring parable?

EVE

You are an idiot, you know that?

LUZY

Why?!

EVE

For god's sake how do you not know about the ring parable, it's literally the only thing that you should now about, that anybody knows about, just when I had some hope for you, you betray me like that!

LUZY

I am sorry, I just read it because I liked the love aspect. Please don't hit me.

CAEL

You two really get along well.

EVE

How exactly did you reach that conclusion?

CAEL

From the way you two interact, looks like you guys are pretty familiar with each other.

EVE

It's a love-hate relationship, really.

LUZY

What do you mean love-hate, there's only love. A 100% love, i say.

EVE

I was kidding, you don't have to be so defensive.

LUZY

(sulking)

I just want you to care about me the same way as Recha does for the lord. I like the story because they resemble us, you know, forbidden love and stuff.

EVE

Really, that's the only reason?

LUZY

Mhm.

EVE

You should have told me from the beginning.

Eve gets closer, and puts her arm around the shoulders of Luzy.

EVE (CONT'D)

Better?

LUZY

Yep.

CAEL

Excuse me for asking, but are you two perhaps in a relationship?

LUZY

yeah, I am into girls, how did you know?

CAEL

How did I know, I'd have to be blind, if I couldn't tell. I have never seen a couple who act like this. It's as if I am watching a love comedy. Aren't you two embarrassed?

LUZY

What for?

CAEL

You're really brazen, I'd die from shame if I behaved like this in public.

LUZY

You learn to not care about other opinions when you are in this state, you know?

CAEL

Yeah sorry, I think I shouldn't interfere with your relationship, it's just a bad habit of mine, this intense curiosity.

LUZY

No, I don't really mind at all, it's not like we are secretive about it. Feel free to ask.

CAEL

Well usually, people are more sensitive about their sexuality.

LUZY

I was before, but I am not anymore. Most are pretty tolerant nowadays. Theres no difference between us and them anyways.

CAEL

Okay, nice. Don't regret it.

LUZY

I won't, I won't. But that's another matter for now. The real question is if we should use Nathan the wise.

EVE

Sounds good to me.

CAEL

Me too.

LUZY

Great, Let's brainstorm.

CAEL

Actually, I still have other classes to attend to. How about we meet up later today?

LUZY

I can't, I have some business to take care of, so why don't you meet up with Eve today and we'll meet some other time.

CAEL

Sure.

EVE

Wait, why don't we wait until everybody has time?

LUZY

No, you guys don't need me anyways, so you can work on your own, for now.

EVE

But-

LUZY

It's fine, you'll manage.

EVE

Well, okay.